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Topic: Orthodox books: suggestions? (Read 2545 times)

Hi ! I'm trying to learn about Orthodoxy, and I would like to sollict suggestions for reading. I have already read "The Orthodox Church" and "The Orthodox Way" by Timothy/Kallistos Ware; "The Way of the Pilgrim"; "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church" by Vladimir Lossky; and parts of the Philokalia. I have had good luck / blessings so far, but I would appreciate some guidance.

Who are the main names in Orthodox theology (in English) and which of their books should be read?

What are otherwise the main books for learning about Orthodox theology and spirituality ?

Also, are the following titles worth reading? I have been hunting at Amazon.com . . .

I just read the Mt of Silence and enjoyed it a lot. Another excellent non-theological book that you NEED to read is Father Arseny. It's the recountings of men and women and Fr. Arseny of events that occured around and because of him while he was imprisoned in the Russian Gulag. It's maybe the most amazing testimony around a living saint Ive ever heard.

For a modern theologian, I'd recommend Metropolitan John Zizioulas, specificially his Book 'Being as Communion,' it's an interesting and good approach to theology focusing on the importance of Eucharistic Theology as central to the Life of the Church and equating it with Ontology. Furthermore, it's a relatively easy read (for Orthodox Theology)

If you're looking for Patristic sources, you have to read Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite's 'Mystical Theology,' all of his works are worth the time to read, but the 'Mystical Theology' is only about a dozen pages or so and fundamental to the Orthodox Apophatic approach to Theology. If you want a harder, but equally rewarding, read, there's St. Clement of Alexandria, I love all of his stuff. That's all I can really think of off the top of my head for Fundamental Theology (St. Maximos the Confessor had a few works, but I can't remember the names of the ones that fit in this category). Of course, if you want to get into Christology, Trinitarian Theology, Soteriology and all the other Specifics, then there's lost out there: I'd start with St. Athanasios, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. Basil the Great. For Moral Theology and Ethics, you can't beat St. John Chrysostom...it really depends on what exactly you want to read, there's a lot out there. If you ever find an interest in Canon Law, then I can give you a real bibliography

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"The liberties of people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." -- Patrick Henry

And I'd recommend anything by Elder Cleopa or Dumitru Staniloae as well as, if you're up for some pretty heavy theology, Vladimir Lossky.

James

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We owe greater gratitude to those who humble us, wrong us, and douse us with venom, than to those who nurse us with honour and sweet words, or feed us with tasty food and confections, for bile is the best medicine for our soul. - Elder Paisios of Mount Athos

I would second Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Fr. Michael. It is probably the second best overview of Orthodox theology in the English language (behind, of course, The Orthodox Church by Bp. Kallistos). Regarding specific theological concepts, I've found the works of St. John Cassian and St. Nicholas Cabasilas (The Life in Christ) to be great for understanding concepts like synergy and free-will. I've found the works of St. Justin Popovich (Orthodox Faith and Life in Christ, and The Orthodox Church and Ecumenism) to be the best books for coming to understand what the Church is and what it's purpose is.

Particularly helpful for developing your spiritual way in Christ is reading St. Theophan's book linked to above. It is practically oriented to assist one in living in and with Jesus Christ our Savior. Also very practical is the book by Fr. Lev Gillet.

« Last Edit: July 22, 2005, 01:38:42 AM by S_N_Bulgakov »

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For scripture says, God is seated where He is knownÃƒâ€šÃ‚ (Pr 11 :16) ; and thus the pure nous is said to be a throne of God.

I highly recommend For the life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š Also, depending on how academic you would like to be, Fr. John Behr is a good antidote to Metropolitan Zizioulas, however, let me say that this is not light reading and perhaps might wait until another time.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š Also, I would caution you about some of the ascetic literature.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š It is of great transformative power, but should probably be read under the guidance of a spiritual father.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š Otherwise one of 2 things tend to happen - either legalism sets in or one despairs excessively over one's sins and gives up the struggle.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š Give yourself a chance to live the liturgical cycle, probably the best way to understand what it is to be Orthodox.

Another excellent non-theological book that you NEED to read is Father Arseny. It's the recountings of men and women and Fr. Arseny of events that occured around and because of him while he was imprisoned in the Russian Gulag. It's maybe the most amazing testimony around a living saint Ive ever heard.

I read Fr. Arseny earlier this summer. It helped me put many things into perspective about my own life. Not so much about the Gulat (What they went through was so much worse than us...), but what an Orthodox Christian life should be: Love, compassion, caring, Eucharist, Confession, tears, etc. Fr. Arsenyi and his children show us that it's difficult, but that it is ever so worth it.

A good person to ask is your priest or an Orthodox Priest, if you know one. Are you a catechumen? If so, your spiritual father will help you and can even tailor your reading for where you are spiritually. Nonetheless, all book recommendations listed by others are great; however, some appears to be heavy reading if you are new to the faith. Hope this helps.

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Save us o' Son of God, who art risen from the dead, as we sing to thee Alleluia!

Way of The AsceticsWay of a Pilgrim ***Must Read ---The Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov - by Lazarus Moore - the best biography of this saint ever!!!***Must Read --- The Undistorted Image - life and teachings of St. SilouanMonastic WisdomThe Spiritual Life and How To be Attuned to itThe life of Elder CleopaPhilokaliaThe Spiritual MeadowDesert Wisdom***Must Read --- Saint of Our Century (St. Nektarios)Life of St. John MaximovitchCounsels from The Holy Mountain - Elder EphraimFrom Glory to Glory - St. Gregory of NyssaThe Life of St. Herman of AlaskaContemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos Vol. I and II***Must Read --- The Ladder of Divine Ascent***Must Read --- The Lives of The Saints Collection - indispensable part of any Orthodox library ***Must Read ---Explanation of the Gospels - by Blessed Theophylact

These are some I've read - definitely read St. Seraphim, St. Nektarios, St. Silouan, The Ladder, you won't be disappointed